COVINGTON - For the 10th straight year, the Newton County Sheriff's Office and the Dixie Star Riders Club will start their engines for a good cause Saturday morning as they help fill Santa's sleigh for needy children in Newton County.

A sign proclaiming the roadway leading off Alcovy Road into the Newton County Law Enforcement Center has been erected. The honor was announced to Sheriff Joe Nichols during his recent retirement party. Nichols' third term will end Dec. 31 after nearly 38 years in law enforcement.

My mama used to tell me that my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I would get this admonition, of course, when I filled my plate up with more food than I could eat. That doesn't happen very often anymore. It's not that I don't put a lot of food on my plate. It's just hard to exceed my appetite these days.